Carelse-Juul weighs options for Zifa top job

Sport
Recent events at Number 53 Livingstone Avenue which saw the sacking of erstwhile Zifa president Cuthbert Dube have attracted the attention of Trevor Carelse-Juul, who is consulting to see if he could contest for the top post in local football.

Recent events at Number 53 Livingstone Avenue which saw the sacking of erstwhile Zifa president Cuthbert Dube have attracted the attention of Trevor Carelse-Juul, who is consulting to see if he could contest for the top post in local football.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

The Zifa Assembly booted out the entire board led by Dube during an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Harare last week. New elections will be held on December 5.

Carelse-Juul, who lost to Dube at last year’s elections, told Standardsport from his base in South Africa that he was consulting and would confirm his candidature for the top post this week.

“I have been closely following what has been happening and there have been people who have been asking me to contest, but it’s too early for me to confirm at this stage,” said the former Zifa boss.

“I’m coming back to Zimbabwe next week and I will meet some of my people on the ground and only after that, will I be able to confirm whether I’m standing for the Zifa presidency.”

Trevor-Carelse-Juul

While Carelse-Juul remained coy about his intentions to run for the Zifa presidency, sources told Standardsport that he was in the country last week to assess the situation and was set to confirm his candidature next week.

Carelse-Juul lost to Dube in the second round of the voting following the elimination of two other candidates — Leslie Gwindi and Nigel Munyati.

Dube polled 44 votes to Carelse Juul’s 14 in the runoff after none of the candidates had polled the required two thirds majority to be confirmed outright winner.

Carelse-Juul played top-flight football for Eagles and giants Dynamos before becoming the youngest ever coach, aged 26, to guide the record Zimbabwean champions to a league title.

He then served as Zifa chairman in the early 1990s before he left office in 1993 after being replaced by Leo Mugabe.

Carelse-Juul’s campaign during the previous election was mainly centred on player welfare and development, stemming from his experience as a player, coach and administrator.

The Dream Team’s emergence and success is largely credited to Carelse-Juul whose tenure witnessed handsome player remuneration.

Commenting on the state of football, Carelse-Juul said Zimbabwean football had a bright future although it required a collective effort from all stakeholders to revive the sport.

“We certainly have the talent to become a powerhouse in Africa, but it will require the efforts of all stakeholders. I watched the last Warriors match against Guinea and I was impressed by the character shown by our boys. With such talent, I have no doubt we could qualify for the World Cup if managed properly. But it’s sad that it won’t be possible because of what happened during the previous administration. However, everything must be done to ensure we get back to the top where we belong,” he said.

With the exception of politician Philip Chiyangwa who hinted he might be willing to contest for the top Zifa post, no other candidate has made public their interest.

Chiyangwa has, however, since been ruled out of contention as he does not meet one of the key requirements for the post, which compels one to have at least five years football administration experience.

Castle Lager Premier League chairman Twine Phiri, ex-PSL secretary-general Gwindi and football commentator Charles Mabika have also been tipped to take part in the election, although they are still to express their interest publicly.

Candidates have to send their papers to the Zifa secretariat at least 30 days before the elections.

From the seven places in the executive committee, five are vacant, with the president, vice and three other members’ positions all up for grabs.